The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) in association with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have put in place European Endangered Species Programs (EEP) for each threatened species, in order to manage the reproduction in captivity, with a final aim of reintroduction to the wild.
The Ecozoo of Les Sables d’Olonne takes part in 35 European Breeding Programs.
The Ecozoo of Les Sables d’Olonne is responsible for the International and the European Breeding Program of the Great Green Macaw (Buffon’s Macaw).
Zoom on the Buffon’s macaw ‘s breeding program :
- Conduct an inventory of individuals in captivity and obtain details about their origins.
- Perform a genetic analysis of the population to assess genetic variability and project the future population. For a population to be reintroduced one day, it is imperative to maintain at least 95% of genetic diversity.
- Establish recommendations for the transfer of individuals, in order to create new breeding pairs.
- Make the link between institutions and in-situ conservation.
- Engage in scientific research for the purpose of conservation of the species.
- Manage the captive global population of this species.